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China opens first gay HIV/AIDS clinic |
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MARK COLVIN: China has opened its first gay HIV clinic. In a country where homosexuality is rarely publicly acknowledged, the new service shows a clear shift in Government attitude to the country's growing HIV/AIDS crisis.
But even a step in the right direction hasn't stopped the police detaining gay activists for organising an AIDS conference on the eve of World AIDS Day.
China Correspondent Stephen McDonell reports.
(Sounds of dance music)
STEPHEN MCDONELL: In the underground gay clubs of Beijing, locals like Zhao Zheng admit many of their friends have been afraid to be checked for HIV for fear of persecution.
(Sounds of Zheo Zheng speaking)
ZHEO ZHENG (translation): They're afraid to run into some problems or that others might know they've gone for a test because Chinese people have a way of thinking that, if you go to a hospital, it means you do have some problems.
STEPHEN MCDONELL: With a ballooning HIV infection rate that's seen officially reported cases grow by 30 per cent this year, the Government could hardly go on pretending there are no gay Chinese if it hopes to treat the problem.
Day One at the new gay HIV clinic in Beijing - the first in China. Volunteers help hospital staff unpack the pamphlets as the first patients arrive.
Xiao Dong is the Director of the Chaoyang AIDS Volunteer Group and he help set up the centre.
(Sounds of Xiao Dong speaking)
XIAO DONG (translation): We hope this clinic could help change the attitude of doctors in China towards gay people. We may run into resistance but we want to play a constructive role.
STEPHEN MCDONELL: The gay clinic is being funded by the Government, showing a clear change of attitude amongst some in high places.
But gay activists are still regularly plucked off the streets for questioning and last year the police raided a gay cultural festival.
Wan Yanhai is the Director of an NGO campaigning on HIV and gays issues. He regularly sees his colleagues and those in similar community organisations harassed by the police.
WAN YANHAI: If they work independently, sometimes they may be visited by the police. Sometimes you know, they may hear they've been investigated by the police and if the activist involved with advocacy, working with human rights defenders, they may even have some harassment or threatening.
This year many AIDS activists, including people living with AIDS were detained or put on house arrest.
STEPHEN MCDONELL: This week Wan Yanhai was reminded first hand that that some police view his activities as subversive and dangerous.
His institute had planned a conference to coincide with tomorrow's World AIDS day. Two police came to his office. The conference was cancelled and he was taken off for three days of questioning.
Yet, even after that, he says gay activist groups are making headway in China.
He says in this week's marathon Q and A session with the authorities, the police were polite to him and seemed genuinely interested to hear about his group's activities and the broader issues facing China's gays and lesbians.
Do you think that at senior levels in the Chinese government, there is a changing of attitude towards gays and HIV/AIDS?
WAN YANHAI: Yes, yes I think so, yes.
STEPHEN MCDONELL: What makes you think this?
WAN YANHAI: I think in general the Government understand they need to work with NGO's, they need to hold the hand of people and they need more political tolerance.
(Sounds of dance music)
STEPHEN MCDONELL: Gay bars and clubs exist but they couldn't advertise themselves that way.
Yet the patrons are mostly optimistic about their future in China.
(Sounds of Zhao Zheng speaking)
ZHAO ZHENG (translation): The social status of these people is increasing; actually they have seen more and more sunlight in their dark world.
STEPHEN MCDONELL: Zhao Zheng thinks his gay mates will definitely use the new Clinic.
This is Stephen McDonell in Beijing for PM. Source: abc.net.au |
